Lord Adonis tipped to stand in Labour’s new mayoral primary

Former Transport Secretary Lord Adonis is tipped to run for Mayor of London in a sign that Labour’s new primary contest is already drawing in more big names.

The brainy Blairite could stand a stronger chance of winning the Labour nomination to take on the Tory candidate under the US-style selection, which will scrap the old trade union share of the vote.

A friend of Lord Adonis said: “The job of managing and improving London’s transport system, which is at the core of the Mayor’s role, could have been tailor-made for Andrew.” At Transport, the peer championed the HS2 fast rail line, plus cycling and charging points for electric cars. As a reforming schools minister he created the controversial academies, which the Conservatives have kept.

He is Labour’s shadow infrastructure minister, and was this week put in charge of a growth review by Ed Miliband. A clutch of other big names are being encouraged by supporters to stand in the primary, which will be held in 2015.Former Bethnal Green and Bow MP Oona King, who lost out to Ken Livingstone in the 2010 selection, recently appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice to build up her profile for a possible come-back.

Comedian Eddie Izzard has indicated he is tempted, but probably not until 2020 because of his touring commitments. However, party chiefs are hoping he can be persuaded to run earlier.

Ex- Olympics minister Tessa Jowell is seen as a clear frontrunner if she decides to stand. “She would walk it if the vote was held this year,” said a supporter. “But she has got a lot of other options and is enjoying time with her family.”

Tottenham MP David Lammy has been quietly building up his profile for three years, and wrote a well-reviewed book on how London should respond to the riots of 2011.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy is also said to be interested, although she was recently reselected for her seat and is focussing on the general election. Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who recently published a memoir of his impoverished London childhood, is seen as a heavyweight on the law and order issue.

Diane Abbott, the shadow health minister and Britain’s first black woman MP, has not ruled herself out, and much could depend on whether Labour is in power at Westminster in 2015.

Tony Blair’s former communications director Alastair Campbell has been encouraged to stand by Labour frontbenchers but has so far said no.

One man who will definitely not stand again is Mr Livingstone. He told the Standard: “Much as I would love to do it there’s some pretty big family responsibilities coming up. I will stay out of it and support whoever wins the Labour nomination.”